Out of the Groove on The Daily Downforce

Hendrick ALREADY In Playoff Trouble? | Analyzing Elliott, Bell, Blaney and More Ahead of Gateway

Let us know what you think

Join the conversation on socials

Eric Estepp

The #1 NASCAR content creator on YouTube, Eric Estepp hosts Out of the Groove, a daily talk show covering news and trending topics in the NASCAR fan community.

Chase Briscoe’s playoff surge, Team Penske’s shot at redemption, and Hendrick Motorsports searching for answers — the NASCAR Cup Series rolls into Gateway, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With the playoffs heating up, every lap matters, and this weekend could separate the contenders from the pretenders.

  • Can Chase Briscoe’s hot streak with James Small really carry him all the way to Phoenix, and possibly a title run?
  • Team Penske looked off at Darlington, but with Blaney, Logano, and Cindric all historically strong at Gateway, is this where they flip the script?
  • Christopher Bell has shown speed on short flat tracks all year — could this be the weekend he takes control and solidifies his playoff spot?
  • Hendrick Motorsports has struggled here in recent years, so can Elliott, Larson, Byron, or Bowman finally break through at one of their weakest tracks?

And let’s not forget the spoiler factor — non-playoff drivers like Brad Keselowski, Ryan Preece, or even Carson Hocevar could shake things up and steal the spotlight. With softer tires, high tire wear, and the pressure of playoff eliminations looming, Gateway has all the makings of a race that could redefine the championship picture. Who’s going to rise to the occasion, and who’s leaving St. Louis in a deeper playoff hole? Drop your predictions in the comments and buckle up, because Sunday is going to be a show.

Watch Also

Share this:

Out of the Groove is the No. 1 NASCAR News and Talk Show on YouTube. With fresh episodes produced daily, Eric’s audience — the Groovy Gang — tunes in daily not only to stay up to speed with the sport, but also to be a part of the spirited and fun online conversation.

Out of the Groove consistently delivers the latest stories from around the NASCAR world, including Cup, Xfinity, Trucks, and ARCA. Out of the Groove is the best YouTube series for fans who want to stay in the know!